Property Update: Conditionally Approved!

We are thrilled to announce another major milestone! Just this summer, Hoʻōla Nā Pua was conditionally approved to start licensing and permitting property for our long-term residential facility.

While this is a lengthy process, we hope to be in full operation by 2016.

Currently, Hoʻōla Nā Pua is the only organization in Hawaii working toward building a long-term licensed residential facility for underage females rescued from sex trafficking. Many of these underage victims flow, undetected, in and out of shelters, foster care, and other short-term programs. According to “National survey of residential programs for victims of sex trafficking” from October 2013 (read the survey in full here):

• Nationally, only 33 residential programs were found to be currently operational and exclusive to tracking victims.
• Residential programs were only open in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
• 28 states had no residential programs for victims of sex trafficking and no plans to open any.
• All but one of the residential programs indicated they offer residential services 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

“Historically, there have been a limited number of shelters and services available to trafficking victims, and fewer with the capacity to appropriately treat the severity of their problems. Trafficking victims were placed
in detention or domestic violence shelters and did not receive services that were tailored to their specific needs. Trafficking victims need extensive care and support that traditional domestic violence or homeless shelters cannot provide (Williamson & Prior, 2009). Trafficking victims require longer stays and may have more heightened security needs than those offered by domestic violence and homeless shelters (Shigekane, 2007).”

Our goal is to provide these girls with a holistic approach to mental health, psychosocial and educational services, and emotional healing in the safety of a loving, long-term home. Please join us in our
mission to raise funds and in-kind donations for the renovation process, which we hope to begin by this time next year.

P.S. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for our inaugural gala at the Pacific Club in Honolulu on October 4th!